Lessons Learned In God’s School of Affliction
While in God’s classroom of affliction, I was sustained by the truth that the God who died for me has promised to conform me into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).
It is God’s will that His children be made into the image of Christ, which often entails suffering of various kinds (Philippians 1:29). It is what the Bible calls sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:7). God will employ whatever means necessary to mature us spiritually. And for that, I am grateful to Him. On this, my... Continue Reading
Who Was Theophilus?
Evidence from within Luke and Acts may help us to identify Theophilus.
The name “Theophilus” is well attested in the time period in which Luke wrote. It was a common name, over a few centuries, all over the Roman empire. Josephus even mentions a Jewish high priest with the name a few decades before the temple fell. So it’s highly credible to conclude that Luke was writing... Continue Reading
3 Implications That Come with Using the Word “Saved”
The gospel doesn’t claim to help the weak; it claims to make the dead live again.
We often think being saved is something like this: We are floating in the sea of sin and death about to drown when, with our last bit of strength, we cry out to Jesus who throws us a life preserver. That’s certainly a situation from which we would need to be saved, but that’s not... Continue Reading
Tried with Fire: Lest I Should Be Exalted
To believe that one deserves privilege is pride; to demand it is hubris. Could even Paul have possibly stood in danger of these temptations?
For Paul, suffering was not the result of sin. It was armor against sin. God knew that the humiliation of suffering was necessary to protect Paul against a form of self-aggrandizement to which he might otherwise have been tempted. Paul needed the kind of shield that only suffering could supply, and so God granted it... Continue Reading
Not One of God’s Words Will Fail
In this age, we wait for healing, for restoration, for peace, for fullness of joy.
Kings records this important word from God through Isaiah: “Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass” (2 Kings 19:25). Not only does God have the power to make the utterly unthinkable happen in 24-hour cycles; he also has the patience... Continue Reading
The Mod: The Gospel of John 101
John’s record of Jesus’ passion gives the unique perspective of an eyewitness; John stayed after the other disciples fled.
Why, when three gospels were already available, did John write another? He seems to have been aware of the other gospels; he felt no need to re-announce Jesus’ birth or detail his baptism. He left no record of Jesus’ calling of the disciples, or repeat his parables or the Lord’s Supper narrative. He left out... Continue Reading
The Image of God in Man
The divine image in Adam was his glory.
It is true that in our present condition God’s image in us is blemished by the remains of indwelling sin. But it will not always be so. When in death we shall have died wholly to sin, and when on the resurrection morning we shall be raised incorruptible, we shall be altogether pure like Christ.... Continue Reading
Cremation
Why and Why Not
Cremation seems to be a rarity in our churches so this may not be much of an issue for us today, but when you consider that cremation has gone from 4 per cent of Canadian funerals in 1961 to 46 per cent in 2001, it’s clear we will have to think about it soon. It’s... Continue Reading
Urgency and Patience
As Exemplified by William Wilberforce
Perhaps no man in all of history demonstrates the integration of these two godly virtues as well as William Wilberforce (1759-1833) did throughout his life. A member of the British Parliament, he introduced anti-slavery measures year after year for 40 years. He never wavered. He never tempered his fervency. And yet, he never resorted to... Continue Reading
The One Book: All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment
He will give wisdom to those who ask it.
The author discusses how discernment relates to the pursuit of truth, honor, purity, justice, and what we commend or condemn with our speech. These are very practical and challenging chapters that address issues of day-to-day holiness. These are also issues that affect our witness as we live in community with our neighbors and fellow Christians.... Continue Reading
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 987
- 988
- 989
- 990
- 991
- …
- 1386
- Next Page »